If you don't want an induction then it's YOUR choice but have a plan of action because health care providers may just assume and book you in before you've realised what's happened.

I was induced with DS at 42+2, horrible experience and narrowly avoided a emergency cs that would have been required entirely down to the cascade of intervention.

I was adamant that I was going to have a spontaneous labour with DD and I did and it was awesome (the worst part was being stuck in a traffic jam whilst deep in labour!).

At your next appointment mention that you are not keen on an induction and would prefer to wait for spontaneous labour, even if it means daily monitoring. Use your experience of previous labours to support your stance.

There are plenty of people on the hub who can give you advice about how to approach refusing an induction so post again if you need more information or support. I"m happy to be PM'd for advice too.

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I am just worried if he stays in there for too long he might get too big. The previous two appointments the MW said he's quite big but still ok for now.
My next appointment is at 40+5
I am 40 weeks today.
I know there's another 10 days to go but 10 days is not that long lol

Estimates on baby sizes have a huge variant tolerance (if that's the right expression?). I don't know the exact figure but something like + or - 40% of what the estimate is.

My MW said to me that she thought my DD might be another biggun' as she felt my tummy and did measurements (DS was 4.51 kg). Turned out DD was 3.52kg.

You could also try gentler methods of induction such as:
- s3x (there is something in s3men that softens the cervix and thus can help start labour). I have to admit though, the last thing I felt like was getting passionate at 40+ weeks!!
- walking, bouncing gently on a fitball
- acupuncture - I am not normally an advocate of non-science based therapies but I was willing to try anything to start labour with DD and had an appointment lined up for a acupuncturist that specialised in starting labour.

My first labour was also induced and was awful, my second was spontaneous and a walk in the park! I was induced for my third (40 weeks with high BP) and I think after having a spontaneous your body seems to 'know what to do' and kicks itself into gear IYKWIM? My third labour was easy as the second and my DD2 was born 9 minutes after my waters were broken!

Not all inductions are awful, especially if you have already had one spontaneous. Good luck! x

As Meredith said, you don't need to be induced until 42 weeks' gestation. After which time, the risks to mother and baby are much higher, and not acceptable. (Of course you can refuse, but I strongly suggest it would not be in your best interests).

But until then, try to relax!! I was induced at about 39 weeks with my 2nd bub, as I had GD/macrosomia and polyhydramnios. (Bub was 4.715kg at 39 weeks, and I had an extraordinary amount of amniotic fluid!). But the induction was very straightforward, my OBGYN was very thorough, and my midwife was delightful. It was a no-nonsense affair, vaginal delivery. The worst part about it was when my epidural became one-sided as I hit second-stage of labour, and there was no time to fix the bloody thing! (But as a doctor in Anaesthetics myself, I know it was just bad luck!)

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Ps. Tubster, you may find you labour very suddenly and quickly with your 3rd. As your parity increases (number of babies delivered), the length of labour is generally shorter/quicker (not always obviously, but is a good general rule).

I remember when I was working in ED, a lady who was pregnant with her 4th baby delivered on a trolley at Triage! It was that quick! I had to deliver her placenta as we took her up to the Labour Ward in the lift!!

Not saying this will happen to you of course! Just making the point that you may labour very suddenly, so don't give up on a spontaneous labour just yet. Not all women have BH either.

You can refuse induction and wait and see if bub comes on its own. I was induced with my second baby because waters broke at 36+5 and labour didnt start. My first baby was a spontaneous labour and to be honest they were very similar labours and births! I had forceps with Ds1 and vaccum with ds2 but that was because both babies were very stuck due to being posterior and both had been stuck for quite some time in the birth canal. There are scary stories for all types of births so try and focus on having a positive birth and try not to stress because that could hinder bub coming on its own.

Estimates on baby sizes have a huge variant tolerance (if that's the right expression?). I don't know the exact figure but something like + or - 40% of what the estimate is.

This also! Try not to put too much faith in estimates, they are usually way off. My daughter was measuring 42 weeks at 36 weeks and she turned out to be 3.5kgs so very average. She was constantly measuring at least a month ahead and this was from multiple growth scans.

I also wanted to mention that I've also heard of a lot of mums birthing big babies quite easily. Of course a bigger baby can be a scary thought and may be harder to birth but I've also heard plenty of stories where the biggest baby was the easiest.

Don't want to be induced!

Originally Posted by Purple Lily

I also wanted to mention that I've also heard of a lot of mums birthing big babies quite easily. Of course a bigger baby can be a scary thought and may be harder to birth but I've also heard plenty of stories where the biggest baby was the easiest.

Yep, this was me! DD was 3kg and a difficult forceps delivery. DS was 4kg and I pushed him out easily. He looked huge, I was so surprised when he came out! I was expecting a small girl and got a big boy!

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